‘I hope so. When do you intend to leave for Ariminum?’

‘At once. I’ll take the Flaminian Way. It’s the most direct route.’

‘That’s true,’ said Clodius. ‘But is it wise? It’ll be hard going at this time of year, and you will be crossing the mountains where these rebels are hiding out.’

‘I imagine they will be hiding in their caves, huddled over their fires. I shall be safe enough and besides I cannot afford any delay. The sooner the matter is dealt with the sooner I can turn my attention to far more important victories and conquests. I will leave at dawn. Festus!’

The leader of his bodyguard stepped forward and bowed his head. ‘Yes, master.’

'I shall take you and six of your best men.’ Caesar’s gaze flickered towards Marcus. 'And you, young man. I suspect I shall need to call on your knowledge and skills once again. After all, you trained alongside gladiators. You know how they think, and you know how they fight. Yes, I am sure you will be very useful.’ He turned back to Festus. ‘I’ll also need my scribe, Lupus. See that it is all arranged.’

‘Yes, master.’

Caesar turned back to Clodius. ‘I wish I knew precisely what I am up against. If this man, Brixus, is an escaped gladiator, then he will be a dangerous opponent. Even more dangerous if there is any truth to this rumour about the son of Spartacus joining forces with Brixus. If it’s true, then the son must be found as soon as possible. Found, and then eliminated. Every slave in the empire must be made to realize that Rome never rests until its enemies are completely and utterly crushed.’

‘Yes, Caesar. I will see to it.’ Clodius nodded.

‘I also expect that you will look after my interests here in Rome in my absence. I will expect regular reports of the proceedings of the Senate.’

‘Don’t worry. I will. Now I’d better leave you to your preparations.’

‘Farewell, my friend.’ Caesar smiled as he clasped the younger man’s arm.

Clodius smiled back and then turned to leave the house. Once the door had closed behind him, Caesar’s smile faded and he shook his head as he muttered, ‘Thank the Gods that he isn’t the only supporter I can rely on.’

Marcus could not help nodding in agreement and Caesar’s eagle eye caught his gesture.

‘So, you share my opinion of Clodius? That is good. I have always known I could rely on your sound judgement, my bay.

‘Yes, master.’

‘Well then, we are about to face a new adventure, Marcus. You may have fought in the arena, and on the streets of Rome, but this will be your first campaign, maybe even your first real battle. I expect that you are looking forward to it, eh?’

Marcus forced himself to nod and Caesar punched him lightly on the shoulder.

‘Just as I thought. You’re a natural warrior through and through.' His expression became serious. ‘I meant what I said about needing any advice you can give me… Now go and pack your kit and get an early night. We’ve got a long, uncomfortable ride ahead of us. Crossing the Apennines in winter is not easy.’

‘I’ll make sure that I pack some warm clothes, master,’ said Marcus.

‘Good. At least there’s one thing to look forward to. My niece will be with her new husband at Ariminum. He’s serving with the Tenth legion. I’m sure that Portia will be glad to see you again.’

‘I hope so,’ Marcus answered with feeling. She was one of the few people he had come to regard as a friend since arriving in Rome and he had missed her when she left Caesar’s household to marry the nephew of General Pompeius, one of Caesar’s closest allies. Together with Crassus, they were the three most powerful men in all Rome. It was an uneasy alliance, as Marcus knew only too well after having foiled a plot against his master by Crassus. A plot that had involved Decimus and his henchman, Thermon, the man who had murdered Titus and kidnapped Marcus and his mother. There would be a reckoning one day, Marcus vowed. The blood of Thermon and Decimus would run from his blade.

He thrust thoughts of revenge aside and bowed his head to Caesar.

‘With your leave, master?’

‘Yes, you may go. Goodnight, Marcus.’

Lupus had already heard about the journey by the time Marcus reached the small cell that they shared in the slave quarters of the house. Even though Marcus had been given his freedom he had no means of paying his own way and was obliged to remain in Caesar’s house, sharing the same food and conditions of those who were still slaves. It suited him for now. After all, the only thing that mattered to him was waiting for Caesar’s contacts in Greece to discover where his mother was. So he was content to stay close to Caesar and hear the news as soon as it reached Rome. Or Ariminum, as would now be the case.

‘Ariminum.’ Lupus smiled. He was a small thin boy, nearly four years older than Marcus, but could have passed for the same age. His dark hair was cropped short and he spoke with the usual quiet humility of those who had been born into slavery. ‘I can’t wait to see the place. It’s supposed to be a beautiful city, close to the beach. Where the wealthy Romans go to relax.’

‘I doubt it will be quite so pleasant in the middle of winter,’ Marcus replied.

‘Pleasant enough. In any case, a welcome change from Rome.'

Marcus nodded. The capital might be the heart of the empire, a vast city with grand buildings, public baths and every entertainment imaginable, but it was also crowded, with stinking narrow streets, and when summer came the air was stifling. The fresh air of the coast would indeed be welcome. But this would be no holiday.

‘I doubt we’ll have much time to take in the pleasures of Ariminum,’ said Marcus. ‘Caesar wants to complete his task as swiftly as possible. I imagine that we’ll be there just long enough for him to muster his troops and then we’ll be marching into the mountains. You’d better get used to the idea of living out in the snow, rain and wind.’

Lupus shuddered at the thought.

‘And it won’t just be the elements to contend with,’ Marcus added. ‘There will be fighting. Caesar thinks that he’ll crush the rebels easily. I’m not so sure. They may lack training, but they’ll be fighting for their lives, for their freedom. That will make them very dangerous.’

Lupus stared at him anxiously. ‘I don’t like the sound of it. Why does Caesar need me to come along? What good would I be in a fight? I wouldn’t know how to use a sword. Probably be more of a danger to our side than theirs.’

‘It’s not your sword Caesar needs, but your pen. He will want a record kept of his exploits. Something he can use to build his reputation later on.’

‘Oh, good,’ Lupus responded with a relieved expression. ‘I suppose I’d better start packing.’

While his companion rummaged through his small chest of stationery Marcus began his own preparations. In addition to his sword, throwing knives and dagger, he took his gladiator cuirass down from its peg on the wall and carefully wrapped it in an old blanket before placing it in his kitbag. He also took a bronze buckler and the reinforced skullcap that Festus had made for him the previous year, leather bracers and a padded tunic to wear under his armour. Once all his fighting kit was packed he moved on to his clothing.

As he worked, his mind was distracted. So far, only his mother and Brixus knew the truth about his father’s identity. And now it seemed that Brixus was spreading the word that Spartacus had a son and that the son would take up his father s cause. No doubt some Romans would refuse to believe it, thinking that Brixus had simply invented the story to win support for his cause. But there would be plenty of others who believed it, making Marcus’s secret that much harder to keep. Caesar had already seen the brand on Marcus’s shoulder but had not been able to place it. There might come a time when Caesar made the link between the brand and the rumour and realized who Marcus was. If that happened, then he would be put to death.